The Third Key (The Alaesha Legacy Book 1) (17 page)

Chapter 19

Veth continued walking toward the farmhouse, his sword waving wildly in the air as he shouted random insults at the two guards. At first, they were taken aback, staring at each other, then at him in varying intervals. Then the others left the safety of the forest, joining Veth in taunting the Reformers. One of the guards turned and opened the door, shouting something inside while the other drew his own weapon and headed toward the invisible wall. Veth stopped just short of it, using the arrow as a marker so he didn't run into the potentially deadly construction.

"Come on," Charles whispered, grabbing Edith's arm. He led her around the edge of the forest, away from where the others were causing their disturbance. They had spread out along the barrier as more guards poured out from inside the building.

Charles crouched beneath a large oak. They were much closer to the wall at this point than they were before. A shimmering glow around several trees a mere ten feet away gave away its location. Charles pointed with his sword. "If we make for those trees, the wall might just be weak enough."

"Weak enough for what? I thought I could just walk through."

"Weak enough that it won't kill him if it is elemental." Boxy had followed them. "I'll cover you. If you make it through, I'll see if I can mess with the barrier there. Maybe we can all get through."

The others were still harassing the guards, who were standing bunched up in a group on the other side of the wall, irritated that they couldn't attack the people insulting their mothers and sisters. A woman stood on the steps, her thin frame outlined by the glow from inside. Her long pale hair blew around her chestnut face, the wind and rain plastering it to her pale skin. She stood with her shoulders back and her chin raised as she glared at the newcomers.

"Zotha," Boxy breathed. "How could she? I'll kill her."

The question was rhetorical, but Edith glanced at her anyway. Rage seethed across the woman's normally placid face. Her sharp features took on a darker hue as she pulled an arrow from her quiver and nocked her bow.

Charles placed a hand on the shaft. "That won't do any good and you know it."

Boxy's gaze flickered to him, her anger threatening to shoot him down, but she lowered the bow and just stared at the woman on the step.

"Let's go," he said, slipping an arm around Edith's waist.

He held her tight as they crouch walked along the open area between the two copses of trees. She felt horribly exposed, but she felt even more horrible about trying to hide from the woman's view behind Charles. They managed to reach the wall without being spotted. Charles pressed close to a tree, hugging Edith to him.

"You have to go first, but don't pull away from me, okay?"

She nodded and inched forward. She pulled out the key, letting it sit on top of her shirt in plain view. She knew it wouldn't make a difference, but she felt better knowing for sure it was there. She reached out a hand toward the faint shimmer, feeling for the mostly invisible wall. Her fingers tingled with electricity, tiny blue sparks dancing up the barrier, and she pulled back.

"Elemental." Charles sighed with irritation and looked at Edith. "We have to try," he said.

She shook her head frantically. "No. Not if it'll get you killed."

"Edith, you can't go in there alone. I won't let you. But without you, this will all fail. You're the only one who can bring down the wall."

Her brow creased as an image of his charred body flashed in front of her eyes. "I can't," she whispered, leaning her head against his. "I can't lose you."

He cupped her cheek in his free hand. "If we don't get that key back, we'll lose everything anyway."

"Oh, Charles." Her voice cracked when she said his name and she looked away. Another wave of fear swept over her, but she shoved it away. Now was not the time to let her thoughts get the best of her.

The woman was still on the step. Her arms were crossed and she was watching amusement as the other attackers tried to get through the wall. Edith nodded, then stuck out her hand again. The electricity crackled quietly, but didn't harm her. She stepped forward, staying as close to Charles as she could. Together, they inched around the tree. She was almost fully through when his body entered the wall. He grunted and his grip on her tightened. She looked back, eyes widening. His face was contorted with pain as electric blue waves danced over his exposed skin.

"Keep going," he growled out through gritted teeth. "Don't stop."

She moved quicker, practically pulling him through the deadly field with her. The sparks disappeared and he collapsed against another tree, panting heavily. She knelt in front of him, dropping her bow as she brushed her thumb across his cheek. He was pale and sweaty. She leaned over, pressing her lips to his forehead.

"I'm all right. I'll be all right." He picked up her weapon and handed it to her, nodding toward the woman on the steps. Zotha was outright laughing at the failing advances of the other Alaeshans by this time. "Aim true," Charles said, forcing a smile as he struggled to a seated position.

Edith nodded and pulled an arrow from her quiver. Then she pulled out another. She angled the arrows carefully, taking her time to sight down the shaft and follow their course to their intended target. Charles struggled up the tree until he was standing. Edith glanced at him briefly, then turned her attention back to the
lithrai
. She took a deep breath, sent a brief mental request to the rain and wind to pause long enough for her to fire and exhaled.

The arrows shot from the bow with deadly accuracy, heading straight for their target. The woman was smiling at her guards, cheering them on. Then her head turned in Edith's direction and her eyes went wide with horror. She ducked to the side, but not quick enough. The arrows sank into her shoulder, drawing a screech from her red lips. She shouted orders to her men and stumbled back inside, slamming the door.

"Go, go." Charles said.

He staggered forward, pushing Edith along. She wrapped her arm around his waist, supporting him as they stumbled through the trees. They reached the house as several of the guards broke off from the group behind them and raced their way. She propped Charles against the wall and pulled an arrow from her quiver. She nocked it quickly and stepped out around the corner. The men were closing fast. She loosed the arrow and it sank into the chest of the first attacker. He tumbled to the ground. She ducked back behind the house as a bullet embedded itself into the wood shingles.

Charles was inching along, his sword drawn. He beckoned her to follow. She nocked an arrow and began backing up, keeping her bow pointed toward the corner. A man came around the corner and she released the arrow, shooting him in the neck. He fell and the man behind him tripped, creating a pile-up.

"In here," Charles whispered, reaching out to grab her arm. He hauled her up the steps to a door. The handle turned easily and he stepped inside. Once she was in, he locked it, grabbing a chair that was sitting in the hall to block it.

He put a finger over his lips and listened. Edith tilted her head, but all she could hear were the sounds of the guards pounding on the door and the chair rattling against the handle. Charles beckoned to her and slipped down the hall. She followed, keeping her loaded bow pointed at the door. She bumped into Charles when he stopped suddenly, earning her a slight glare. She shrugged an apology.

He pointed at the room they were paused beside, then his shoulder. She cocked her head, not understanding what he mean. He sighed and did it again. Frustrated, he leaned over and whispered, "the woman."

Edith nodded as the light went on in her mind. Charles switched places with her and she peeked around the corner. The woman was reclined on a couch, one hand pressed to her head. The other lay limp at her side. Her eyes were shut and her dark skin was several shades lighter. A small man hovered over her, his fingers fluttering around the arrows. He started to go for one, but pulled back. He repeated the process several times until the woman dropped her hand.

"Just pull them out, would you? I'm dying here."

Her harsh tone made the man squeak and he grabbed at an arrow. While they were distracted, Edith stepped into the doorway, bow raised. She aimed at the woman's head, but she saw Edith before the arrow released all the way. Shoving the man aside, the woman dove off the couch and the arrow sank into the fabric harmlessly. The
lithrai
groaned and pulled herself to her feet.

"You are becoming a nuisance," she said, raising her hands in front of her, clapping once.

Searing heat shot through Edith's skull and she was sure her head would explode. She dropped her bow and fell to her knees, pressing the heels of her hands against her burning eyes. She wanted to scream, but the pain was too great. All she could manage was a raspy groan as she rocked back and forth, praying for it to end.

Charles bolted around the corner. "No!" His hand shot into the air, palm out toward the woman. She flew backward, tumbling over the couch. The pain in Edith's head subsided, leaving her vision blurry and tinged with red. She fell onto her side, keeping her hands pressed to her temples and her eyes closed.

"Edith," Charles said, his voice a bare whisper. "Edith, you have to get up, my love." His thumb stroked her forehead and she forced her eyelids to cooperate. He was crouched over her, his eyes darting between her and the couch. He smiled at her and stood, holding out a hand. She took it weakly and allowed herself to be pulled to her feet.

The woman's fingers crawled over the edge of the couch, grasping for purchase. She dug her nails into the plaid fabric and hauled herself up. "You." Her coal black eyes were fixed on Charles, her lip curled into a snarl as she spat the word.

He raised his chin and smiled. The smile was vicious and full of hate. "Yes, me. Traitor."

The woman's laughter twinkled like a hundred tiny silver bells. "Call me what you will, weakling. You know how this will all end. One way or another, the Reformers will triumph. I intend to be on the winning side."

He pointed his sword at her. "Drop the wall."

A coughing fit doubled her over the couch. He waited, one arm around Edith, the other keeping his sword pointed at the woman. She recovered herself and straightened a bit, still supporting her weight on the couch.

"Why should I? You won't find the key. It's hidden very well. Your precious Keeper will die within the day without it, and then it will be ours for good."

He took a step forward, snarling. Edith straightened and stepped back. While he kept the woman engaged in banter, she glanced around. The small man was cowering in a corner, his arms over his head. He wouldn't be a threat. She wanted to find her bow. She needed her bow. She looked around desperately. There. She spotted it poking around the edge of the door frame. She moved into the hall, grabbing the weapon. The bow string dangled uselessly and her heart fell. At the other end of the hall, the chair legs were cracking. They wouldn't hold much longer. Soon the guards would be able to come through. 

She stepped back into the room. Charles was directly in front of the couch, the woman on the other side. Her hand was raised and so was his. Sparks flew between them, dancing over their fingers, blocking the other's attacks. Edith walked up to them.

"If she dies, does the wall fall?"

The woman's glare shot to her briefly, but she said nothing. Instead, the static in her hand increased, the tiny blue sparks licking Charles's hand increasing. He grunted and growled out an affirmative. Edith drew her dagger.

"No," he commanded through gritted teeth.

"No? Why not?" Edith could not believe she was having this conversation in the middle of a battle between two very powerful magicians.

The woman smiled. "Because, dear stupid girl," she said, her voice barely strained. "I am Boxy's little sister."

Edith stepped around the couch, grabbing the woman by the wounded shoulder. She screamed and dropped her hand, the electrical charges fizzling as Edith's dagger dug against the soft skin of her neck. "I don't care. You threatened my boyfriend, you hurt the queen. You're trying to take over my world. Do you really think I give a rat's ass if you're Boxy's little sister?"

The
lithrai
growled as she focused on Edith. The girl could feel the heat rising in her skull again, but it was minor compared to before. Charles was chanting something softly, counteracting the woman's own magic.

Edith pressed harder with the dagger. "Drop... the... wall."

"No." The woman's face was dripping with sweat and her breathing was growing harsh.

A trickle of blood ran down the smooth flesh. "Last chance."

The woman grunted and Edith took a deep breath, preparing to take another life.

"Fine." The woman waved her hand. A candle on the mantle fell over, sputtering out. Outside, Edith heard the sounds of battle finally growing closer, a clear indication that the wall had been brought down. She pulled her dagger away, slicing the woman's throat enough to make her bleed a little, but not enough to really hurt her, then tossed her aside. Boxy's sister crumpled into the corner, moaning as she clutched her neck with one hand and her stomach with the other. She looked up at them. "Save me, Charles. Please." Her voice was a bare whisper. A drop of blood slid from her nose.